Career Summary

Biography

Research Expertise
My research expertise is at the interface of two primary areas: Conservation Biology and Reproductive Biology. My original background was in the area of reproductive physiology where I pursued interests in the physiology of the testis and the epididymis (the duct that drains sperm and fluid from the testis, and stores sperm until ejaculation). I took a comparative approach and investigated and published on the role of epididymis in birds, eutherian mammals and marsupials. My research had an emphasis on how the efferent ducts (the first ducts to leave the testis) reabsorb fluid, with published studies on the mechanisms of epithelial transport and the signal transduction systems that control that transport. My main discovery in this area was that reabsorption by the efferent ducts is controlled by down regulation through the cAMP system. I have also extensively characterised the processes of fluid transport by the efferent duct systems in both birds and mammals, and have shown amongst other things that the process is highly dependent on sodium transport, in particular the Na-H exchanger, and that the efferent duct epithelium is highly permeable to the diffusion of small molecules in both directions. My published studies concluded that the epithelium is both permeable and displays a high level of active solute transport across its walls; the physiological purpose of which is to concentrate and mature the sperm in the epididymis prior to ejaculation. This work was a collaboration with Assoc Prof RC Jones. Most of this work has been published between 1995 and 2005.
Since the early 1990s, I have developed an interest in Conservation Biology which is an outgrowth of my research expertise in reproductive biology. Since the 1980s, it was becoming more obvious to herpetologists that there was an extinction crisis developing amongst the worlds amphibians (Australia was not spared, with around 10 extinctions from unknown causes, later shown to be due to a new global amphibian fungal pandemic, and many more species in decline). I recognised early in the 1990s that there were few tools to conserve amphibians when conservation actions in the wild were not successful, including a lack of reproduction tools such as assisted reproduction techniques, and especially a lack of cryopreservation procedures to retrievably store amphibians in the form of viable sperm, eggs and embryos. I formed a collaboration with Assoc Prof M Mahony from the early 1990s to use my expertise in reproduction to develop procedures to cryopreserve amphibian sperm, eggs and embryos, and have been continuing this research ever since. It has led to a number of papers published since 1998 in this area, particularly relating to the development of procedures for the successful cryopreservation of amphibian sperm (papers continue to be published in this area, including in press, 2007). The aim of this research is ultimately to contribute the required technologies to allow the establishment and functioning of an amphibian genome storage bank, that can act as a conservation management tool, and be used to insure amphibian species against extinction in the wild.

Teaching Expertise
Since my appointment as a lecturer in 2002, I have taught in a number fields including: introductory zoology/animal structure and function; forensic biology; environmental biology and commercialisation and finance in biotechnology.
The zoology/animal structure and function teaching was a contribution to the introductory biology causes for first year science students. These covered areas such as the phylogeny and taxonomic organisation within the animal kingdom, the evolution of tissue and organ systems in animals, and their adaptations to the environments of animals from marine to terrestrial evolution (evolution of the animal body plan).
In the area of forensic science, I have been the principal lecturer from the biological sciences discipline responsible for teaching forensic biology into the forensic science degree which was established at Newcastle University in 2000. I was entirely responsible for developing the forensic biology content of lectures and practicals in courses in 2nd and 3rd Year in that degree. My topics covered in both practicals and lectures included DNA profiling, body fluid analysis (hematology, semenology), blood alcohol physiology and evidence, and forensic entomology. Since 2005, I have been the programme convenor for the undergraduate degree in forensic science, responsible for the academic administration of that degree.
In addition to qualifications in science, I also have post-graduate qualifications in the field of finance (Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance). I have used this expertise to be the driver in establishing a 10 credit point course for 3rd Year biotechnology students that deals with the process of commercialising biotechnology. I have been entirely responsible for the creation and ongoing development of this course, and have been the course co-ordinator since its inception. I also am responsible for most of the teaching in the subject. I designed the assessment system based around participation in workshops, some direct examination, and a primary assessment item that involved a research project on an Australian biotechnology company listed on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX). The reason for setting a project on ASX listed companies was the amount of publicly available information that must be released as a requirement of the ASX listing rules relating to public disclosure and the similar requirements of the Corporations ACT. This information resource allows students to explore much of the financial information and intellectual property of companies that is relevant to understanding how they operate in the commercial environment. Key topics covered in lectures include technological drivers in commercialising biotechnology, capital management structures and strategies in biotech companies (venture capital to mature companies), valuing biotech companies using discounted cash flow methodologies and the role of the IP portfolio and clinical trials in company business models.
I also currently supervise honours and post-graduate students (Masters and PhDs), and have done so since the mid-1990s.

Administrative Expertise
Administration
Until my appointment as a lecturer in the School of Environmental and Life Sciences, I undertook many administrative functions in my previous designation as a Professional Officer in the same school. I continue to perform administrative roles since my appointment as a lecturer in 2002. These include:
Academic Administration. I am course co-ordinator for three forensic biology subjects, and programme convenor for the B Sc. (Forensics) degree programme. I have served for 3 years on the Life Science Honours Programme Committee until 2007.
Management of Amphibian Holding Facilities. I am joint manager with Ms R Gentle of the amphibian holding facilities, and am responsible for overseeing the frog holdings of the University. These include native amphibian species, and cane toads that are used by my own research group and by other researchers in the University.
Animal Service Unit Committee and Animal Care and Ethics Committee. I continue to serve as a member of the Animal Services Committee of the University; this provides oversight and advice to the University on matters of animal facilities administration (ongoing position since 2000). I have also served at times on the Universitys Animal Care and Ethics Committee

Qualifications

PhD, University of Newcastle

Bachelor of Arts, University of Newcastle

Bachelor of Science (Honours), University of Newcastle

Keywords

animal physiology

commercialising biotechnology

conservation biology

cryobiology

environmental biology

forensic biology

reproductive physiology

Fields of Research

Code

Description

Percentage

060899

Zoology not elsewhere classified

35

079999

Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences not elsewhere classified

30

060299

Ecology not elsewhere classified

35

Professional Experience

UON Appointment

Title

Organisation / Department

Senior Lecturer

University of NewcastleSchool of Environmental and Life SciencesAustralia

Academic appointment

Dates

Title

Organisation / Department

1/09/1985 -

Professional Officer

University of NewcastleFaculty of Science and Information TechnologyAustralia

Membership

Dates

Title

Organisation / Department

Member - Australian Society of Herpetologists

Australian Society of HerpetologistsAustralia

Member - Royal Zoological Society of NSW

Royal Zoological Society of NSW

Member - Society for Reproductive Biology

Society for Reproductive BiologyAustralia

Member - Physiological and Pharmacological Society

Physiological and Pharmacological SocietyAustralia

Awards

Research Award

Year

Award

1997

European Academy of Andrology Prize for 1997 for an outstanding publication in the International JouEuropean Academy of Andrology

Boden Conference on the EpididymisOrganisation: Boden Conferences
Description:
Invited presentation on the mechanisms of fluid and solute transport in the ductuli efferentes. Invited presentation at the Boden Conference on the Epididymis: Cellular and Molecular Aspects. Robertson, NSW, 24-28 Feb

1998

International Conference of the Federation of Australasian and Oceanian Physiological Societies Organisation: Federation of Australian and Oceanian Physiological Societies
Description:
Symposium on male reproductive physiology. Invited presentation on fluid reabsorption in the efferent ducts: mechanisms and control. International Conference of the Federation of Australasian and Oceanian Physiological Societies, Brisbane, Sept., 1998

Journal article (52 outputs)

With the incidence of emerging infectious diseases on the rise, it is becoming increasingly important to identify refuge areas that protect hosts from pathogens and therefore prev... [more]

With the incidence of emerging infectious diseases on the rise, it is becoming increasingly important to identify refuge areas that protect hosts from pathogens and therefore prevent population declines. For the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, temperature and humidity refuge areas for amphibian hosts exist but are difficult to manipulate. Other environmental features that may affect the outcome of infection include water quality, drying regimes, abundance of alternate hosts and isolation from other hosts. We identified relationships between water bodies with these features and infection levels in the free-living hosts inhabiting them. Where significant relationships were identified, we used a series of controlled experiments to test for causation. Infection loads were negatively correlated with the salt concentration of the aquatic habitat and the degree of water level fluctuation and positively correlated with fish abundance. However, only the relationship with salt was confirmed experimentally. Free-living hosts inhabiting water bodies with mean salinities of up to 3.5 ppt had lower infection loads than those exposed to less salt. The experiment confirmed that exposure to sodium chloride concentrations >2 ppt significantly reduced host infection loads compared to no exposure (0 ppt). These results suggest that the exposure of amphibians to salt concentrations found naturally in lentic habitats may be responsible for the persistence of some susceptible species in the presence of B. dendrobatidis. By manipulating the salinity of water bodies, it may be possible to create refuges for declining amphibians, thus allowing them to be reintroduced to their former ranges.

Mitigating the threat of habitat loss requires actions such as restoring and creating new habitat. In order to effectively achieve this, species habitat requirements and use patte... [more]

Mitigating the threat of habitat loss requires actions such as restoring and creating new habitat. In order to effectively achieve this, species habitat requirements and use patterns need to be understood. While many studies have been conducted on the habitat choice of species, these generally focused on habitat use during periods of high activity and detection probability without considering seasonal shifts in habitat use. Understanding habitat selection by frogs during the winter season of low activity may be crucial since it may differ from that used during the summer and may be overlooked as important for population success. We describe the microhabitat use of the threatened green and golden bell frog (Litoria aurea) using radio tracking methods during winter when detection is low and knowledge is limited. We followed 26 individuals between May and July, 2011 to determine whether they selected specific overwintering microhabitats and related this to levels of individual exposure to predators, distance from the edge of the water and temperature of microhabitats. We found that overwintering bell frogs inhabited reeds and rock gabions more frequently than expected and that females used a reduced subset of microhabitats compared to males. Additionally, microhabitats used were more likely to conceal an individual from view, and the majority of overwintering sites were located within 5m of the edge of the water which may be important for reducing the risk of predation and desiccation. Rock gabions had significantly warmer (1.2Â°C-1.8Â°C) mean temperatures than the other microhabitats used. The information presented here can be used in habitat creation and reintroduction programmes to provide habitat which is suitable during both the breeding and non-breeding season for the conservation of other populations.

The chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis has been implicated in the decline and extinction of amphibian populations worldwide, but management options are limited. Recent ... [more]

The chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis has been implicated in the decline and extinction of amphibian populations worldwide, but management options are limited. Recent studies show that sodium chloride (NaCl) has fungicidal properties that reduce the mortality rates of infected hosts in captivity. We investigated whether similar results can be obtained by adding salt to water bodies in the field. We increased the salinity of 8 water bodies to 2 or 4 ppt and left an additional 4 water bodies with close to 0 ppt and monitored salinity for 18 months. Captively bred tadpoles of green and golden bell frog (Litoria aurea) were released into each water body and their development, levels of B. dendrobatidis infection, and survival were monitored at 1, 4, and 12 months. The effect of salt on the abundance of nontarget organisms was also investigated in before and after style analyses. Salinities remained constant over time with little intervention. Hosts in water bodies with 4 ppt salt had a significantly lower prevalence of chytrid infection and higher survival, following metamorphosis, than hosts in 0 ppt salt. Tadpoles in the 4 ppt group were smaller in length after 1 month in the release site than those in the 0 and 2 ppt groups, but after metamorphosis body size in all water bodies was similar . In water bodies with 4 ppt salt, the abundance of dwarf tree frogs (Litoria fallax), dragonfly larvae, and damselfly larvae was lower than in water bodies with 0 and 2 ppt salt, which could have knock-on effects for community structure. Based on our results, salt may be an effective field-based B. dendrobatidis mitigation tool for lentic amphibians that could contribute to the conservation of numerous susceptible species. However, as in all conservation efforts, these benefits need to be weighed against negative effects on both target and nontarget organisms.

Conspecific attraction plays an important role in habitat selection of several taxa and can affect and determine distribution patterns of populations. The behaviour is largely stu... [more]

Conspecific attraction plays an important role in habitat selection of several taxa and can affect and determine distribution patterns of populations. The behaviour is largely studied and widespread among birds, but in amphibians, its occurrence seems limited to breeding habitats of adults and gregarious tadpoles. The Australian green and golden bell frogs (Litoria aurea) have suffered considerable shrinking of their original distribution in south-eastern Australia since the 1970s. Currently, with only about 40 populations remaining, the species is considered nationally threatened. In natural conditions, these frogs are aggregated in the landscape and do not seem to occupy all suitable ponds within the occurrence area. To date, studies focusing on the frogsÂ¿ habitat have failed in finding a general habitat feature that explains current or past occupancy. This led us to the hypothesis that social cues may play a key role in habitat selection in this species. Using two choice experiments, we tested the preference of juvenile green and golden bell frogs for habitats containing cues of conspecifics of similar size versus habitats without conspecific cues. Tested frogs did not show a preference for habitats containing only scent from conspecifics but did prefer habitats where conspecifics were present. Our results show that conspecific attraction is a determining factor in juvenile green and golden bell frog habitat selection. To our knowledge, this is the first time the behaviour is shown to occur in juvenile frogs in the habitat selection context. From a conservation management point of view, the behaviour may help to explain the failure of reintroductions to areas where the frogs have been extinct, and the non-occupation of suitable created habitats in areas where they still inhabit and develop appropriated management strategies.

With the incidence of emerging infectious diseases on the rise, it is becoming increasingly important to identify refuge areas that protect hosts from pathogens and therefore prev... [more]

With the incidence of emerging infectious diseases on the rise, it is becoming increasingly important to identify refuge areas that protect hosts from pathogens and therefore prevent population declines. For the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, temperature and humidity refuge areas for amphibian hosts exist but are difficult to manipulate. Other environmental features that may affect the outcome of infection include water quality, drying regimes, abundance of alternate hosts and isolation from other hosts. We identified relationships between water bodies with these features and infection levels in the free-living hosts inhabiting them. Where significant relationships were identified, we used a series of controlled experiments to test for causation. Infection loads were negatively correlated with the salt concentration of the aquatic habitat and the degree of water level fluctuation and positively correlated with fish abundance. However, only the relationship with salt was confirmed experimentally. Free-living hosts inhabiting water bodies with mean salinities of up to 3.5 ppt had lower infection loads than those exposed to less salt. The experiment confirmed that exposure to sodium chloride concentrations >2 ppt significantly reduced host infection loads compared to no exposure (0 ppt). These results suggest that the exposure of amphibians to salt concentrations found naturally in lentic habitats may be responsible for the persistence of some susceptible species in the presence of B. dendrobatidis. By manipulating the salinity of water bodies, it may be possible to create refuges for declining amphibians, thus allowing them to be reintroduced to their former ranges.

Suitability of habitat patches affects demographic processes and consequently influences the viability of populations. In order for managers to consider the potential of resources... [more]

Suitability of habitat patches affects demographic processes and consequently influences the viability of populations. In order for managers to consider the potential of resources on a scale appropriate to their use, it is important to understand the processes that influence the ecology of threatened species. Differential growth rates of Litoria aurea (green and golden bell frog) at Sydney Olympic Park, Australia, may be explained by prey availability and diet. We tested: (1) whether food availability differed among precincts at Sydney Olympic Park and (2) whether the diet of L. aurea was influenced by availability of invertebrate prey. Diets were distinct among precincts and reflected the variation in biomass and richness of invertebrate assemblages. Precincts with greater biomass corresponded to areas with faster individual growth rates and greater habitat structure. The differences in diet and individual growth rates of L. aurea among precincts at Sydney Olympic Park demonstrate how caution must be applied to generalising population function, even within a small area.

Clulow J, Jones RC, 'Composition of Luminal Fluid Secreted by the Seminiferous Tubules and After Reabsorption by the Extratesticular Ducts of the Japanese Quail, Coturnix coturnix japonica', Biology of Reproduction, 71 1508-1516 (2004) [C1]

CLULOW J, JONES RC, MURDOCH RN, 'MATURATION AND REGULATION OF THE MOTILITY OF SPERMATOZOA IN THE EPIDIDYMIS OF THE TAMMAR WALLABY (MACROPUS-EUGENII)', JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTION AND FERTILITY, 94 295-303 (1992)

Man SY, Clulow J, Jones RC, Hansen LA, 'Mechanism and Control of Fluid Reabsorption by the Ductuli Efferentes of the Rat', The Third International Conference on the Epididymis, Charlottesville, Virginia (2003) [E3]

Conspecific Attraction and Avoidance for Conservation and Management for an Endangered AmphibianEnvironmental Studies, Faculty of Science and Information TechnologyPrincipal Supervisor

2012

How Disease, Predation, and Habitat Degradation Affect the Survivorship of the Threatened Green and Golden Bell Frog, Litoria AureaEnvironmental Studies, Faculty of Science and Information TechnologyCo-Supervisor

2012

Water Holes, Microclimate and an Iconic Inselberg: Patterns of Herpetofaunal Biodiversity in Uluru Kata-Tjuta National ParkEnvironmental Studies, Faculty of Science and Information TechnologyCo-Supervisor

Habitat Use and Movement Patterns of the Endangered Green and Golden Bell FrogEnvironmental Studies, Faculty of Science and Information TechnologyCo-Supervisor

2010

What Makes an Endangered Weed? Understanding the Ecological Aspects That Cause an r-strategist Amphibian (Litoria aurea) to DeclineEnvironmental Studies, Faculty of Science and Information TechnologyCo-Supervisor

2010

Using Population Genetics to Inform Building Sound Ecological Strategies for Endangered AmphibiansEnvironmental Studies, Faculty of Science and Information TechnologyCo-Supervisor

2010

Developing an Adaptive Management Framework for the Conservation of an Endangered AmphibianBiological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Information TechnologyCo-Supervisor

2002

The Application of AUSRIVAS and SIGNAL2 for Assessing the Impacts of Wastewater Treatment Plants on Water Quality in the Lower Hunter Valley, New South WalesBiological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Information TechnologyCo-Supervisor

Past Supervision

Year

Research Title / Program / Supervisor Type

2014

The Ecology of the East-Coast Free-Tailed Bat (Mormopterus Norfolkensis) in the Hunter RegionEnvironmental Studies, Faculty of Science and Information TechnologyPrincipal Supervisor

2013

Tadpoles and Frogs of AustraliaBiological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Information TechnologyCo-Supervisor

2013

Population Ecology and Viability of the Green and Golden Bell Frog (Litoria aurea)Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Information TechnologyCo-Supervisor

2012

Impact and Mitigation of the Emerging Infectious Disease Chytridiomycosis on the Endangered Green and Golden Bell FrogBiological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Information TechnologyCo-Supervisor

2010

Managing Pond Breeding Frogs in the Forests of Eastern New South WalesBiological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Information TechnologyConsultant Supervisor